W. C. Handy Jazz Camp
Encyclopedia
The W. C. Handy Jazz Camp is sponsored jointly by the W. C. Handy Music Festival
and the University of North Alabama
(UNA), and is held annually in Florence, Alabama
. Every year, the camp features an accomplished faculty, all members of the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars
.
At the camp, young music students learn jazz through the study of music theory and improvisational concepts. Ensemble rehearsals are provided, as well as private lessons from professional musicians. Camp students, along with the accomplished musicians who make up the faculty, perform each year during the W. C. Handy Music Festival, which takes place throughout the Florence-Sheffield-Muscle Shoals area during the last week of July.
“Many of the students are in (middle or) high school jazz bands,” Gonce said. “Others don’t have jazz bands at their schools, but want to learn more about the musical technique.”
(trumpet), Howard Lamb (trombone), Rick Bell (saxophone), Tim Goodwin (bass), Mike Shepherd (drums), Ray Reach
(piano - Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
) and Mel Deal (guitar). Hosts Dr. Edd Jones and Lloyd Jones (current director UNA’s band program) and camp directors Terry Ownby, band director for Muscle Shoals Middle School, and James Ed Champion, former band director for Bradshaw High School, organized the 2006 camp.
(trumpet), Howard Lamb (trombone), Tim Goodwin (bass), Chuck Redd
(drums and vibraphone) and Ray Reach
(piano - Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
).
.
W. C. Handy Music Festival
The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the Music Preservation Society, Inc., in honor of Florence native W. C...
and the University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
(UNA), and is held annually in Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
. Every year, the camp features an accomplished faculty, all members of the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars
W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars
The W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars is a group of jazz musicians who play annually at the W. C. Handy Music Festival in Florence, Alabama. During the last week of July each year, these musicians travel from all over the United States to gather in Florence and perform in various combinations...
.
Curriculum
“The camp consists of four days of intensive music study at UNA,” said Nancy Gonce, who assisted professional jazz musician Mike Shepherd and former UNA band director Dr. Edd Jones in establishing the camp as an educational extension of the area’s annual W.C. Handy Music Festival. The founders set up the curriculum using state jazz honor-band criteria to help prepare students for the state level.At the camp, young music students learn jazz through the study of music theory and improvisational concepts. Ensemble rehearsals are provided, as well as private lessons from professional musicians. Camp students, along with the accomplished musicians who make up the faculty, perform each year during the W. C. Handy Music Festival, which takes place throughout the Florence-Sheffield-Muscle Shoals area during the last week of July.
“Many of the students are in (middle or) high school jazz bands,” Gonce said. “Others don’t have jazz bands at their schools, but want to learn more about the musical technique.”
2006 Faculty
The 2006 faculty featured a variety of talented professional musicians, including Ken WattersKen Watters
Ken Watters is an American jazz trumpeter residing in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the brother of noted jazz trombonist, Harry Watters. Ken is a member of several noted performing groups, including Tabou Combo, , Natalie Cole Band, , the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, and the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars...
(trumpet), Howard Lamb (trombone), Rick Bell (saxophone), Tim Goodwin (bass), Mike Shepherd (drums), Ray Reach
Ray Reach
Raymond Everett Reach, Jr. is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City...
(piano - Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame was founded in 1978, and opened a museum on September 18, 1993, with a mission "to foster, encourage, educate, and cultivate a general appreciation of the medium of jazz music as a legitimate, original and distinctive art form indigenous to America...
) and Mel Deal (guitar). Hosts Dr. Edd Jones and Lloyd Jones (current director UNA’s band program) and camp directors Terry Ownby, band director for Muscle Shoals Middle School, and James Ed Champion, former band director for Bradshaw High School, organized the 2006 camp.
2007 Faculty
The 2007 faculty included Ken WattersKen Watters
Ken Watters is an American jazz trumpeter residing in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the brother of noted jazz trombonist, Harry Watters. Ken is a member of several noted performing groups, including Tabou Combo, , Natalie Cole Band, , the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, and the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars...
(trumpet), Howard Lamb (trombone), Tim Goodwin (bass), Chuck Redd
Chuck Redd
Chuck Redd is an American drummer and vibraphonist. Chuck joined the Charlie Byrd Trio in 1980 at the age of 21. The same year, he joined the Great Guitars Chuck has done twelve European tours and five tours of Japan, with the Barney Kessel Trio, Ken Peplowski, Terry Gibbs and Conte...
(drums and vibraphone) and Ray Reach
Ray Reach
Raymond Everett Reach, Jr. is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City...
(piano - Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame was founded in 1978, and opened a museum on September 18, 1993, with a mission "to foster, encourage, educate, and cultivate a general appreciation of the medium of jazz music as a legitimate, original and distinctive art form indigenous to America...
).
Closing Concert
The W.C. Handy Music Camp concludes each year with a concert in the UNA Band Room, featuring camp faculty and students. Following this, participating music students perform as the "Music Camp All-Stars" during the W. C. Handy Music FestivalW. C. Handy Music Festival
The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the Music Preservation Society, Inc., in honor of Florence native W. C...
.